Impatient patient gets three months for threatening Penticton hospital employees

PENTICTON – A South Okanagan man will spend three months in jail for making threats against Penticton Regional Hospital employees.

Arnold Alexander Eakins, 40, entered guilty pleas to one count of uttering threats and one count of mischief, stemming from two separate incidents, in Penticton court this morning, Oct. 25.

Crown prosecutor John Swanson told court hospital employees called Penticton RCMP just after 1 a.m. on Sept. 14 of this year, complaining of a patient who was upset at not being seen fast enough.

Eakins reportedly told two hospital employees he was going to “shoot everyone and bomb the building.”

He left before the time police arrived, but returned a half hour later.

Employees locked the door until police arrived and arrested Eakins.

The two employees told police Eakins had kicked doors and threatened to shoot them in the head when they tried to calm him.

In a separate incident in Summerland, Eakins was arrested on Aug. 24 after a resident in that community called police to complain of an unknown man kicking doors and throwing flower pots at the residence. He went around the back of the house where he took a bicycle and used it to break two windows before police caught him.

Swanson asked Judge Gregory Koturbash for a sentence of 90 days for uttering threats and an additional sentence exceeding six days for the mischief charge. Swanson noted Eakins had previous convictions for uttering threats and his significant criminal record.

Defence lawyer Nelson Selamaj said his client suffered a brain injury at 17 years of age in a motor vehicle incident and had resorted to drugs to cope over the years.

He said his client had a tendency to act impulsively and lash out, in addition to being easily frustrated. He said his client was trying to get admitted for a foot infection, was in pain and lashed out.

He said his client was remorseful and meant no harm, requesting a sentence of 60 to 70 days and restitution for the mischief charge.

"Mr. Eakins, by being an impatient patient, you’ve caused a great deal of stress to the hospital staff here in Penticton, and inconvenience for a number of people,” said Judge Koturbash, noting Eakins wasn’t as well equipped as others at handling his temper because of the brain injury.

The judge also noted Eakins’ drug use, calling use of drugs with a brain injury a “recipe for disaster.” He urged the man to take action to “get that monkey off your back.”

Eakins was sentenced to 90 days for uttering threats and an additional 10 days for the mischief charge.

The judge told Eakins if it weren’t for the evidence of a brain injury, he would have imposed a much higher sentence.

He was given credit for 62 days time served, leaving 38 days remaining in his sentence.

He also faces a 10 year firearms ban.

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